Given this proposal, the local union has written letters to the Central Minister for Railways, Piyush Goyal, as well as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, detailing the positives and negatives of this project

The proposed construction of a railway terminus at Parel is reportedly putting up to 2,000 trees at risk of felling. The plan involves building the outstation/terminus in place of the Parel Workshop and also recommends the destruction of the railway quarters that were built almost 100 years ago.

Given this proposal, the local union has written letters to the Central Minister for Railways, Piyush Goyal, as well as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, detailing the positives and negatives of this project.

Shiv Sena heavily criticized the proposed felling of trees in the Aarey colony for the construction of the metro car shed. One of Uddhav Thackeray’s first actions in power was to stay the work for the metro car shed project in Aarey.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader and President of Rail Kaamgar Sena, Anandrao Adsul, has recommended that the authorities think carefully before going ahead with the project. The planned terminus will see the removal of trees that are nearly a century old surrounding the workshop.

The Central Railway (CR) authorities have mentioned that the project will require 19 acres of land while 6,320 square metres of land will be purchased from National Textile Corporation and 1,927 square metres of additional land will be acquired near Currey Road.

“In the past two days we have met Railway Board officials and asked them to look at plots near Currey Road, where there are railway stores. We will oppose the new Terminus and cutting of these trees,” said Amit Bhatnagar, VP, Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh.

As per CR, Phase I of the project has been greenlit at a cost of Rs 200 crore. Work on Phase II, which is expected to cost Rs 900 crore, will only commence after the public demand is assessed. Phase I will reportedly see the construction of two platforms.

A CR official who chose to remain anonymous said that Phase I will not see the destruction of any trees or the historic Parel Workshop. This means the residents of the area can be slightly relieved at the moment knowing that the trees are safe for the next few months.